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V/STOL strike aircraft Harrier Sundown
Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223, known as “the Bulldogs”, celebrated the conclusion of nearly 40 years of operational history with the AV-8B Harrier II during a public ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, on Jun. 3, 2026. As told by Capt. Jacob Ballard, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, in the article VMA-223 celebrates sundown as Marine Corps’ final Harrier squadron, the ceremony marked an important moment in time for VMA-223 and also signaled the end of an era for Marine Corps aviation as the service continues its transition to an all-5th generation tactical aircraft fleet.
The ceremony included a five-aircraft formation flight and vertical landing that showcased the Harrier’s unique vertical/short take-off and landing (V/STOL) capability.
The Harrier platform has maintained a proud and storied legacy throughout its 55 years of service with the US Marine Corps (USMC). In 1971, the Marine Corps accepted the first AV-8A into its inventory.
The AV-8B V/STOL strike aircraft was designed to replace the AV-8A and the A-4M light attack aircraft. The Marine Corps requirement for a V/STOL light attack force has been well documented since the late 1950s.
The last USMC squadron to operate the Harrier
Since its inception with the Marine Corps, the Harrier has been instrumental in numerous combat operations, including Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Operation Allied Force, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Odyssey Dawn, Operation Inherent Resolve, and operations during the Red Sea crisis.
Colloquially known as a “jump jet” for its ability to take off and land within short distances, the AV-8B is a V/STOL aircraft designed to support the Marine Air Ground Task Force commander by destroying surface targets and escorting friendly aircraft.
In fiscal year 2028 VMA-223 is scheduled to reactivate as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA)-223 and will begin flying the F-35B Lightning II. VMA-223 is the last Marine Corps squadron to operate the Harrier.
The AV-8B’s lethality and V/STOL capability made it uniquely suited for deployments in support of Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs).
USMC AV-8Bs not allowed to launch
Combining tactical mobility, responsiveness, reduced operating cost and basing flexibility, both afloat and ashore, STOVL aircraft are particularly well suited to the special combat and expeditionary requirements of the Marine Corps.
Pete Bowen, former USMC AV-8B Harrier II pilot, recalls on Quora;
‘The AV-8B basing flexibility is a tremendous advantage especially in an environment like the western Pacific. Two stories from AV-8B’s that illustrate this:
‘1. VMA-513 Flying Nightmares flying Harriers in Osan, Korea, as part of a 1991 USAF exercise. We’re taxing as a flight/division of four Harriers with two divisions of F-16’s and a division of F-15’s. Tower calls us and says there has been a simulated missile strike on the runways, so they are closed. The USAF divisions call ground for taxi back to their flight lines.
‘Our skipper/division lead calls tower for takeoff. Tower says the runways are closed for missiles strikes. Skipper asks where the missiles hit. After a pause, tower gives the spots—2,000ft and 5,000ft down the runway… Skipper asks for takeoff at the 3,000ft spot. Long pause. Tower says the runways are simply closed. Skipper asks for takeoff on the taxiway.
‘Long pause. Different, authoritative, and very annoyed voice tells us very directly to taxi straight back to our flight line.
‘There was no way the USAF was going to let AV-8B’s launch on that mission while the USAF aircraft couldn’t.
Much shorter transit time than F/A-18s or F-16s
‘2. In Desert Storm, the Marines were able to set up forward fuel and weapon sites on two lane roads about 40 miles (5 mins flying time) behind the advancing troops. Harriers could launch from a base close to the Kuwait border and from “Harrier carriers”—LHA’s that only carried Harriers—close to shore.
‘The Harriers had a much shorter transit time than F/A-18’s or USAF F-16’s to the target areas.’
Bowen concludes;
‘Better still, the Harriers could drop their weapons on their first mission, land at the forward sites to rearm and refuel, and then drop their second mission weapons within 25–30mins of the first. The F/A-18’s and F-16’s were only halfway home after their first mission.’
Photo credit: U.S. Marine Corps and Senior Airman David Owsianka / U.S. Air Force
